Lords Sitting of 10 February 1871

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—West African Settlements * (1); Ecclesiastical Dilapidations * (2).
DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS—MR. MONSELL'S SPEECH AT LIMERICK.

  EXPLANATION.
  EARL GRANVILLEdesired permission to read to their Lordships a note which he had received from the Postmaster General. The note was as follows:—
  "My dear Granville,—The Duke of Richmond is reported to have attributed to me last night the statement 'that it was the intention of the Government to supplement the Land Act of last Session by another measure in the course of a couple of years.' Will you kindly take the trouble to say for me that I never made any such statement? What I said was—to repeat a promise made by C. Fortescue in the House of Commons with reference to labourers' dwellings—that a measure for improving them would probably be introduced in the course of the next two years.
  "I am, yours sincerely,
  W. MONSELL."

THE BANKRUPTCY ACT—PEERS.

  QUESTION.
  THE DUKE OF RICHMONDsaid, their Lordships were probably aware that by a recent decision Members of the House were liable to be adjudged bankrupt. He wished to ask the noble Earl the
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  Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he has considered whether any legislation is advisable in respect of any Peers adjudged bankrupt?
  EARL GRANVILLEsaid, the matter had not escaped the attention of the Government. There was, he believed, a feeling on both sides the House that it was inconsistent with their dignity that Peers in the painful position referred to should sit and vote, and that some action should be taken in the matter. The Lord Chancellor had a measure under consideration, and he hoped the noble and learned Lord opposite (Lord Cairns), who, he believed, had paid some attention to the matter, would, be kind enough to communicate with the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack on the subject. He thought it desirable that a measure should be brought in at an early date.
  LORD WESTBURYasked whether it was proposed to exempt Peers from the operation of the Bankruptcy Act, or whether it was proposed to follow the rule of the House of Commons, and to resolve that during bankruptcy a Peer should not be capable of sitting and voting in the House? In the latter case no legislation would be necessary, as it could be done simply by a Resolution.
  EARL GRANVILLEsaid, that it was not proposed to alter the law with regard to the liability of a Peer to become bankrupt. The contemplated measure would simply affect his position in the House in the event of his being so adjudged. He believed it was the opinion of those who had considered the subject that a Resolution would not be sufficient. There were, moreover, some extraordinary anomalies in this matter with reference to Members of the House of Commons, and the Government would endeavour to correct these, at the same time that they sought to provide for the case of bankrupt Peers.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.
EARL GRANVILLE moved that the Viscount Eversley be appointed to take the Chair in the Committees of the Whole House in the absence of the Lord Redesdale from illness.
Motion agreed to.

MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS LOUISE.

  MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN.
  Delivered by the Earl Granville, and read by the Lord Chancellor as follows:
  VICTORIA R.,
  Her Majesty relies upon the cordial interest which the House of Lords has expressed in the approaching marriage between the Princess Louise and the Marquess of Lorne:
  The numerous proofs which the Queen has received of their loyalty to Her Throne, and of their attachment to Her Person and Family, lead Her to hope that they will make such provision for the Princess Louise, with a view to the proposed marriage, as may be suitable to the dignity of the Crown:
  Ordered, That the said Message be taken into consideration on Monday next.

  WEST AFRICAN SETTLEMENTS BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill for extending the jurisdiction of the Courts of the West African Settlements to certain offences committed out of Her Majesty's Dominions—Was presented by The Earl of KIMBERLET; read 1a. (No. 1.)

  ECCLESIASTICAL DILAPIDATIONS BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill for the amendment of the Law relating to Ecclesiastical Dilapidations—Was presented by The Lord Archbishop of YORK; read 1a. (No. 2.)
  House adjourned at half past Six o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Five o'clock.